Major Events Of 2012- Video compilation by Jean-Louis Nguyen

Beautifully compiled retrospective of the major happenings during 2012. Produced by Jean-Louis Nguyen, it's entitled: 2012: What Brought Us Together.

It was a year of breakthroughs, adversity, accomplishments. And the web shared all of it. From the highest sky-dive to the fastest running man, a first vote or last mission, joys and tragedies, grumpy cats and flash mobs, from silly to serious; whatever it is that we shared in 2012, here is a compilation.

I admit, some of these events I missed, but Nguyen kindly put together a list and links to the original YouTube clips. You can find that here.

On Criticism In The Arts- Words of wisdom

Petapixel's Michael Zhang had an interesting post about criticism, featuring this snippet from the the Pixar movie "Ratatouille", where the character Anton Ego, a reformed critic, imparts these words of wisdom:

In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little, yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face, is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating it so.

If you are involved in any way with the arts- be that visual, performing or written- you are subject to criticism. As an actress I have been very blessed, for the most part, with lovely reviews, but I have seen critics mercilessly skewer individuals or shows undeservedly so. My photography has yet to be critiqued negatively, but apparently that too happens.

Zhang focuses on the plethora of anonymous criticism we receive in online forums:

The Internet can be a tough place for photographers. One can pour an immeasurable amount of time, money, energy, blood, sweat, and tears into a picture (or a series of pictures), only to have his or her hard work torn to shreds by nameless and faceless commenters who hide behind the veil of anonymity.

He then refers to Anton Ego's wisdom.

Zhang continues:

The next time you see a photograph online, offered up to your judgement by its maker, take some time to consider that the person may have invested a good deal of himself or herself into putting that picture on your screen. At the very least, even if you hate what they have to offer you, you can be respectful and offer encouraging words of helpful criticism.

I'll add this:

If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it.
Do not offer criticism if it is not solicited.
If asked, find something positive to say. There has to be one thing you can praise, if not as Zhang says "offer encouraging words of helpful criticism."

3-D Photo Booth That Prints Figurines To Open In Japan

The Japanese are so clever, creative, innovative and stylish.  Check out this new take on the Photo Booth.  Remember squeezing into those old Photo Booths with a friend, and getting those thin strips of film with 4 goofy photos per strip? Well, a Japanese company Omote 3D is creating a  pop-up photo booth where people will fork over from $261 to $511 (depending on size) for a 3-D likeness of themselves. 

Pretty darn amazing, since I can't even begin to imagine how that works.

From November 24 through January 14 people will be able to make reservations to have their photo taken and receive one of these mini-thems.  The booth will be set up at Eye of Gyre exhibition space in the tony district of Harajuku in Tokyo.

The customer is first 3D scanned in a process that requires them to stand still for 15 minutes. A 3D model of the customer is then refined on a computer before output to a 3D printer. The figurines are available in sizes ranging from 4 to 8 inches.

The pop-up photo booth is a creation of Party, a company based in Japan and NY.

Source: Spoon-Tamago

From Birth To 21 Years- Dad's Time Lapse Dedication To His Son

A Yorkshire, England dad, Ian McCleod, has spent every day of his son's 21 years (so far) taking a daily photo. He then compiled over 7,500 photos into a time lapse (of sorts) six minute video of his son's life from pre-birth on.

McLeod tells the Yorkshire Post the project started as a "daft" idea conceived over a couple of drinks. "I was thinking I could do it for one or two years at most…But then you get to the point where you wonder if you'll regret it if you stop." He says it became like brushing his teeth.

Cory McLeod admits he didn't always love it when his dad tracked him down for their daily snap. "My dad has had to drive to a friend's house before. I got a bit of a stick [teased] for that," he told the Post. Eventually he came to see the project's significance. "I used to find it awkward, I didn't realize the value of it. It was only when I got to 16 or 17 that I started to appreciate it and realized what it could be." Even though he's now away from home studying at Leeds Metropolitan University, he says he plans on continuing to collaborate with his dad. "When do you stop? I don't think I can. We've come this far, we may as well carry on."

Although a few days are missing here and there (Ian McLeod slots in a sketch instead of inserting a photo from the wrong day to maintain the integrity of the concept) and a month was lost when the camera wouldn't wind, the chronicle is remarkably complete. McLeod started scanning the images a year ago—his son was born before the days of digital cameras—and he says it took him three months to digitize them all. "It's never been straightforward," he says. "We weren't organized. It's always been chaotic." For those of us whose photo albums contain gaps of more than a year, "21 Years" seems magnificently pulled together.
 

I have so much admiration for people who dedicate and spend their time doing this kind of thing. I don't have the patience.



Source: Yahoo

Canon Recalls EOS Rebel T41 For Skin Allergy Potential

In case you haven't heard, Canon has recalled some of the EOS Rebel T4i  for the potential of skin allergies. Apparently the rubber grips have a chemical that can change the grips from black to white and cause skin irritations.  One person reported a rash after contact, and so they are recalling around 68,200 cameras that were sold at places like Best Buy, B&H Video, Amazon.com, among other retailers.

The ones being recalled were sold June and July 2012.

The camera was imported from Japan, and the 12-digit serial number which has a 6th digit that is a 1, can be found on the bottom of the T4i.

For more information contact Canon at (855) 902-3277 Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to midnight, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

That's a lot of cameras to be recalling in response to one alleged allergic reaction, but I suppose better safe than sorry.  The Canon camera is a great camera, I love both of mine.

Source:  CPSC

I Made It To The Front Page Of Etsy- "Blue Ridge In Black and White"

I finally made it to the coveted Front Page of Etsy. It had been a very long while- early last year, I think it was, and as an alternate.  Everyone complains about the same people getting to the Front Page, which is a very valid issue- since one's views usually skyrocket on those occasions- but we have no control over that. I have been in many treasuries, some definitely Front Page worthy, that never made it.

So I had to share this one.

My black and white Blue Ridge Mountain photo is very popular, I've sold two so far.

I added the 8x10 versiob after the 5x7, but people seem to pick the 5x7 print for treasuries and to favorite. It currently has 990 views, 366 admirers, and is in 57 treasuries.

It's one of my favorites.

Canvas Gallery Wrap Mockups- for Liane

Here are some 16 x 16 canvas gallery wrap mockups, with mirror edges that I put together for a customer. 

Both photos were taken in Quebec. The first is an historical general store outside of Quebec. The other was a closeup of flowers next to a door in Old Quebec city.